How do Placement Students and Graduates develop feelings of Psychological Ownership in the Workplace [Academic Poster].

Abstract

Psychological Ownership considers our feelings, thoughts and actions concerning intangible targets in the workplace such as our job role or our organisation. This topic has gained interest from scholars since the start of this century due to its potential positive impact on individuals in the workplace in areas such as job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Researchers suggest that psychological ownership derives from theories of possession and ownership however we do not yet understand how these feelings might develop. This study uses a mixed methodology to explore psychological ownership at the start of an individual’s career. This crucial time period commonly described as the organisational entry/ initiation career phase is the point when individuals are commonly developing their professional identities and considering their “future selves”.